Google is currently taking a two-pronged approach when it comes to operating systems: it has Android for tablets and smartphones and Chrome OS for notebooks/nettops. Several manufacturers are already offering Chromebooks that run the Google Chrome OS, particularly for the education market where a low price is very appealing.

Now, sources claiming to be familiar with Google's plans are reporting that the company has developed the first touchscreen laptops running Chrome OS. These machines will reportedly be on sale later this year and are the latest attempt by Google to go toe-to-toe with Microsoft in the computer industry.

Considering there are number of touchscreen [convertible] Android tablets on the market already, Google will be competing against its own operating system in some respects.

The unnamed sources made no mention of which hardware manufacturers the company is working with, but it’s safe to say that current partners like would Samsung, Acer, and HP, would be included.

Microsoft's latest operating system, Windows 8, is heavily focused on touch capability. Analysts say that one fourth of all Windows 8 laptops sold in the United States during January were equipped with touch screens. This could be another reason why Google is now adding touch capability to its Chrome OS.

I think many are overlooking the possiblities of having an OS with touch-screen capablity. If your only looking at a traditional desktop format...yes it seems unessary.

But think about a single touch screen in the kitchen that swings out from under your cabinets. Not only will it have no need for a keyboard, but with the addition of voice commands similar to Android....you will be speaking to your computer as in star trek. The computer pads/tablets that were props in the series...and now you have the Ipad and other tablets.

Don't limit your scope to old traditional scenarios. There are smaller computers that you can mount behind your tv's and connect via HDMI. This allows you to steam content from their homeserver, browse the web, stream netflix, etc. I have a smart tv, but its limited and so I've setup a wireless keyboard with a small Zotac ZBOX ZBOXNANO-AD12-U AMD A68M which has wifi built in. Now I have a setup that allows me to do so much more from one device. Browse the web to check on my ebay, stream movies from netflix or movies/music my homeserver. I have my own cloud and don't have to rely/trust a third party to ALLOW me access to content I own. I'm using Subsonic to stream music from my homeserver to my tablet at work right now. No need to upload to Google music and no need to pay Apple each year to access content you purchased through their closed market.

Soon you will have tablet style panels for each room where you can stream music from your homeserver to that room or watch a movie or show from hulu, etc.